Adoption And Utilization of Modern Contraception Methods as Strategies Against Unplanned Pregnancy Among Nigerian Undergraduates

The burden of unplanned pregnancy with the resultant abortion complications has been on the increase worldwide among the youths in recent times. This study aimed to assess the adoption and use of modern contraceptives among Nigerian undergraduates to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Modern contraceptive methods are various ways of preventing pregnancy in reproductive age individuals. A descriptive study design was adopted for this study. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was employed for data collection. 382 undergraduates were selected by multistage sampling technique for the study. The Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used for data analysis. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Validity and reliability were ensured. A total of 382 undergraduate students were selected for the study. The mean ± SD age of participants was 22.2±4.7 years. This study showed a high level of knowledge of modern contraceptives (89.5 %), but the adoption level was suboptimal (35.6%). A significant relationship between age and adoption of modern contraceptive methods (X2= 58.7; df=3; p<0.05) was also established. Most commonly used methods were condoms (21.5%) and birth control pills (13.6%). There was a significant correlation between gender and the utilization of modern contraceptive methods among the participants (X2= 50.7; df=1; p<0.05). In spite of respondents’ high level of knowledge of modern contraceptive methods, the adoption remains evidently low. Reproductive health counseling and sexual health education in the schools curriculum were recommended to increase the use of birth control methods thus preventing unplanned pregnancies.